Door operating device



March 1, 1955 K. F. REAMEY 2,703,235

DOOR OPERATING DEVICE Filed April 12, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet l HUB NU J 673 I: 67 24 180 Q a 15z J76 180 F2 J76 IN VEN TOR.

March 1, 1955 Filed April 12, 1952 K. F. REAMEY DOOR OPERATING DEVICE 5Sheets-Sheet 2 March 1, 1955 K. F. REAMEY DOOR OPERATING DEVICE FiledApril 12, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet an obstacle while being closed.

United States Patent O DOOR OPERATING DEVICE Kenneth F. Reamey, HotSprings, Ark.

Application April 12, 1952, Serial No. 282,055

8 Claims. (Cl. 268-59) The present invention relates to improved dooroperating devices and, particularly, to electric motor driven devicesfor automatically opening and closing doors of the overhead typecommonly employed in garages.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved dooroperating device of the character referred to that is extremelyeconomical in manufacture and assembly so that the same may be madecommercially available for use in private garages as well as commercialgarages.

In accordance with the present invention, I provide an improved dooroperating device comprising, briefly, a reversible electric motoradapted for operative driving connection to a continuous cable, novelcircuit means for controlling operation of the motor, and a track guidedcarriage adapted to be connected to the door and adapted to be moved bythe cable upon actuation of the cable to open and close the door. I

To establish operative connection between motor and cable, the presentinvention provides novel clutch means normally disengaged to accommodatemanual actuation of the door but adapted upon energization of the motorto operatively connect the motor and cable to effect positive actuationof the cable. The driving connection between the motor and the cableincludes a pulley over which the cable is reeved, a friction wheelassociated with the pulley and adapted to be engaged by a frictionsleeve carried by the drive shaft of the motor, and a clutch means whichis associated with the motor drive shaft. The pulley, friction wheel andmotor are mounted within a housing to provide a compact structure. Dueto the novel arrangement of parts, the operating device of the presentinvention comprises, primarily, the track and carriage, the cable andthe operator housing.

The novel circuit means of the present invention is substantiallycompletely enclosed in a casing adapted for mounting in the operatorhousing and provided With conventional electric connectors forconnection to a suitable source of electrical supply. The circuit meansincludes a switch disposed in the casing and adapted for actuation uponactuation of the cable to serve as a limit switch for stopping operationof the motor as the door approaches either limit of its movement. In oneembodiment thereof, the circuit means includes a relay for automaticallyceasing operation of the motor should the door encounter an obstacle. Inanother embodiment, means are provided for reversing the direction ofrotation of the motor to retract the door should same encounter in allembodiments, suitable means may be provided externally of the garage forcontact by the vehicle to effect automatic operation of the device ofthe present invention. All of the circuit means lend themselves toinstallations of use wherein a plurality of operating devices may beactuated electrically from external means adapted to be contacted byvarious vehicles. In a further embodiment, I provide current flowblocking means, preferably in the form of a germanium crystal, forcontrolling selective opera tion of a plurality of devices from a commonvehicle contactor means. In all embodiments thereof, the circuit meansof the present invention may include a light for the interior of thegarage adapted to be energized during opening and closing movement ofthe garage door and whenever the garage door is open, but automaticallyshut off when the garage door is closed.

Heretofore, commercially practical door operating devices have includedchains as the power transmission 2,703,235 Patented Mar. 1, 1955 meansfor the reason that operative driving connection could not be made to acable. An object of the present invention is to provide novel pulleymeans for positively grasping and moving the cable without requiringextreme tautness in the cable.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent in the following detailed description of preferred embodimentsof the invention, wherein reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an overhead garage door having theoperating device of the present invention associated therewith;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the door operating device at the doorend thereof with the door in closed position, the view showing oneembodiment of the track carriage of the present invention; Figure 3 is aside view, partly in section and partly in elevation, at the operatorend of the door operating device of the present invention with the doorin open position, the view showing a second embodiment of the trackcarriage;

Figure 4 is a top view, partly in section and partly in plan, of theoperator housing and circuit means casing;

Figure 5 is a partial side view, on an enlarged scale, of the motordrive shaft, the clutch means, the friction wheel and the cable pulleyof the present invention;

Figure 6 is a wiring diagram of one embodiment of the circuit means ofthe present invention;

Figure 7 is a partial vertical section of a door carrying means forelfecting reversal of the motor when the door contacts an obstacle;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 of a second embodiment of theswitch means for effecting reversal of the motor when the door contactsan obstacle;

Figure 9 is a wiring diagram of the circuit means within which switchessuch as those shown in Figures 7 and 8 are included, the diagramincluding external devices adapted to be contacted by a vehicle toefiect actuation of the door operating device; and

Figure 10 is a portion of the wiring diagram of a circuit includingseparate current blocking and relay means, which means are adapted to beincluded in the circuit of either Figure 6 or Figure 9.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Figure 1, aconventional type of overhead garage door is indicated at 20. The door20 may be either of the sectional type or of the one piece type asdesired, the operating device of the present invention being equallyadapted for use with either type of door. As shown, the door 20comprises a plurality of sections 22 hingedly connected together bymeans of conventional hinges 24. At the sides thereof, the door 20 maybe provided with conventional rollers or the like adapted to run insuitable tracks 26 for guiding movement of the door. The tracks 26 maybe suitably supported from the rafters 28 of the garage by bracket means30 or the like. The housing for the door operating device of the presentinvention is indicated at 32 and mounted therein at one corner thereofis a casing 34 for the major components of the circuit means of thepresent invention. The housing 32 may be supported from the rafters 28of the garage in any suitable manner. Extending forwardly from thehousing 32 is a track 36, generally similar to the tracks 26, which isdisposed in generally spaced parallel relation with respect to the doorwhen the door is in its up position and, preferably, generally centrallyof the door. At the end thereof adjacent the door 20, the track 36 maybe secured to the garage structure by a support 38. A carriage 40,including suitable rollers supported by the track 36, is adapted formovement longitudinally of the track in a conventional manner. Thecarriage 40 includes an arm 42 extending between the carriage and theupper edge of the door. The arm 42 is preferably rigid, but is pivotallyconnected to at least the door so as to provide a flexible connectionbetween the carriage 40 and the door. To effect reciprocation of thecarriage 40 along the track 36, a cable 44 is provided, the cable beingcontinuous and supported at its opposite ends by means of a pulleywithin the operator housing 32 and a pulley 46 mounted at the forwardend of the track 36. The manner in which driving connection isestablished between the cable 44 and the movable carriage will bedescribed in detail hereinafter.

Referring now to Figure 2, the pulley 46 at the forward end of the track36 is shown as suitably journaled in a U-shaped bracket 48 adapted to besecured to the lower surface of the track 36. The bracket 48 may, asshown, be suitably secured to a portion of the garage structure, thesupport 38, to support the door end of the operating device of thepresent invention. The carriage 40 comprises a frame 50 which may beformed integrally with the arm 42. The frame 40 includes an axle 52extending upwardly thereof and rotatably supporting a wheel 54 receivedwithin the track 36. The track 36 may suitably be generally C-shaped incross section so as to retain the wheel 54 therein against lateraldisplacement. The frame 50 includes a sleeve portion or the like throughwhich one run of the cable 44 freely passes. The cable 44 is provided atspaced points on opposite sides of the carriage 50 with a pair of stops56 and 58 which may be suitably adjustably secured to the cable 54. Thestops 56 and 58 are of such size as will not pass through the sleeveportion of the frame 50 and thereby engage the frame 50 to move themovable carriage along the track 36 when the cable 44 is actuated. Atthe forward end thereof, the

arm 42 is pivoted to a bracket 60 suitably secured adjacent the top ofthe door 20. The pivotal connection between the bracket 60 and the arm42 is accomplished by a suitable pivot pin 62. A cable 64, which isreeved over the pivot pin 62, is connected at its upper end to the stop56 and at its lower end may be suitably connected to the latching meansfor the door 20. As shown in Figure 1, the cable 64 may be connecteddirectly to the operating handle 63 of a conventional latching meanswhich includes a latch 65 at each side of the door and operating bars,straps, or wires 67 extending between the handle 63 and the latches 65.As will be obvious, the latching means is constructed to effectunlatching upon upward movement of the handle 63 ,the apparatusincluding spring means for biasing the handle 63, Connectors 67, andlatches 65 to latching position upon release of the handle. The cable 64preferably includes a turn buckle 66 to adjust the cable 64 to providefor proper actuation of the latch means of the door 20.

In use, when the door is moved to its closed position, the stop 58 onthe cable 54 is disposed in engagement with the sleeve portion of theframe 50. Accordingly, lost motion is provided between the stop 56 andthe frame 50 before the frame 50 will be picked up and moved by thecable. During movement of the cable 44 to take up the lost motionbetween the carriage and the stop 56, the stop 56 is moved to effectactuation of the cable 64 and, thus, of the latching means for the door.Specifically. the handle 63 is moved upwardly to release the latches 65so that the door is unlatched or unlocked before any movement isimparted thereto as a result of movement of the carriage 50 along thetrack 36. Upon return movement of the door, the latches will be releasedto provide a spring effected locking of the door in the usual mannerwhen the door is moved to its closed position. Accordingly, my inventionpresents one substantial advantage in providing means for automaticallyunlocking or unlatching the door prior to movement thereof and forautomatically conditioning the door latch means for reengagement whenthe door is closed so that the garage door may always be locked whenclosed without requiring special actuation manually. Furthermore, theattachment of the cable 64 to the door latching means in no wayinterferes with or hampers the ability manually to latch and unlatch,lock and unlock the door in a normal or conventional manner.

Referring now to Figure 3, the operator end of the operating device ofthe present invention is shown, with the door 20 being shown as moved toits open position. The track 36 is adiustably connected to the housing32 by means of a bolt 68 secured to the track 36 and adjustable by meansof a pair of nuts 70 with respect to a bracket 72 carried by the housing32. Upon adjustment of the nuts 70, the tension of the cable 44 may bevaried as will become more clearly apparent as the description proceeds.The carriage shown in Figure 3 differs from the carriage shown in Figure2 in that the same comprises a frame 74 carrying a pair of wheels 76disposed within and guided by the track 36. The frame 74 is providedwith a sleeve portion or a bore freely accommodating passagetherethrough of the cable 44. As described with respect to Figure 2, thestops 56 and 58 are adjustably mounted on the cable 44 to pick up andmove the frame 74 in response to actuation of the cable. An arm 78 ispivotally connected to the carriage 74 at one end and at its oppositeend is pivotally connected to the bracket 60 by means of the pivot pin62. To accommodate various types of doors and various mountings of thetrack 36 with respect to the door, the arm 78 is provided with aplurality of apertures therethrough adapted to accommodate passage ofthe pivot pin 62 so that the arm 78 may be pivotally connected in thebracket 69 in adjusted position. The arm 78 of the embodiment of thecarriage shown in Figure 3 is pivoted at its opposite ends to thecarriage 74 and to the bracket 60 so as to provide for variations in thedistance between the track 36 and the door 20 as the door is moved. Forexample, in some installations, the top edge of the door will bedisposed a considerable distance below the track 36 when the door is inits closed position, but when the door is in its open position the uppersurface of the door 20 will be disposed immediately adjacent the lowersurface of the track 36. To accommodate these variations in the distancebetween the track and the door, the arm 78 is pivoted at both ends sothat the same will insure operative association between the carriage andthe door without any possibility of distortion or stress being impartedeither to the door or to the door operating device of the presentinvention.

As is shown in Figures 3 and 4, both runs of the cable 44 extend throughthe walls of the housing 34 and within the housing 34, the cable 44 isreeved over a pulley 80 mounted on a shaft 82 which is journaled in thetop and bottom walls of the housing 32. The shaft 82 also carries afriction wheel 84 adapted to be engaged on the peripheral surfacethereof by a friction sleeve 86 carried by the drive shaft of anelectric motor 88. The motor 88 is disposed on a vertical axis with thebottom portion thereof protruding through the bottom wall of the housing32. Intermediate its ends, the motor 88 is pivotally mounted, as at 90,to the housing 32 in such manner that the weight of the motor normallybiases or moves the friction sleeve 86 away from the friction wheel 84.Thus, when not energized, the friction sleeve 86 is disposed out ofengagement with the friction wheel 84 so that the door 20 may bemanually moved without undue friction. As will be apparent, the onlyresistance to manual actuation of the door 20 would be that provided bythe motor 88, so that by disposing the motor normally out of engagementwith the remainder of the apparatus, the door may be manually actuatedwith ease.

Referring now to Figure 5, wherein the friction wheel 84 and frictionsleeve 86 and associated apparatus are shown in greater detail, themotor 88 includes an axial drive shaft 92 extending upwardly toward theupper wall of the housing 32. A first sleeve 94 is secured to the shaft92 and extends substantially throughout the full length of the shaft 92.The sleeve 94, as stated, is secured to the shaft 92 for conjointrotation therewith. The sleeve may be formed of various types ofmaterial as desired, but is preferably formed of wood for purposes whichwill become more apparent hereinafter. Adjacent the casing of the motor88, the wooden sleeve 94 carries the friction sleeve 86, which ispreferably formed of rubber or the like. The sleeve 86 frictionallyengages the wooden sleeve 94 so that the sleeve 96 will be rotated uponrotation of the motor shaft 92. Adjacent the outer end of the shaft 92,wooden sleeve 94 is adapted for the reception of a sleeve or the like ofsuitable friction material, indicated at 96. The frictional material 96and the mounting thereof on the wooden sleeve 94 may be such as desiredfor various installations and may suitably comprise a sleeve of brakeshoe material or the like. However, I preferably provide a strip ofleather spirally wound on the sleeve 94 to form a sleeve of frictionmaterial about the periphery of the sleeve 94. Disposed over the top ofthe friction material 96 is a sleeve 98 having engagement, but notintimate binding engagement, with the friction material 96. The sleeve98 is preferably formed of metal and is adapted to be clutched to themotor shaft 92 by means of the friction material 96. Adjacent the outerend thereof, the sleeve 98 is provided with a laterally extendingportion 100, which may suitably comprise a generally U-shaped clip,adapted for the reception of a clevis 102. The clevis 102 is connectedto a tie rod 104 which extends radially outward of the sleeve 98 in thedirection of the friction mouse wheel 84 and is anchored at the free endthereof. to the housing 32 by means of an eye bolt 106 extending.through the wall of the housing. The tie rod 104 preferably extendsradially of both the motor shaft 92 and the friction wheel 84 and ispreferably anchored to the housing 32 at a point slightly beyond theaxis of the wheel 84 in a direction away from the motor shaft 92.

As will be apparent, the tie rod 104 normally tends to prevent rotationof the sleeve 98 as motion is imparted to the sleeve from the shaft 92through the clutch means 96. However, since the motor 88 is pivotallymounted at 90 and since the friction sleeve 86 is normally spaced fromthe peripheral surface of the friction wheel 84, slight rotary movementwill be imparted to the sleeve 98 upon actuation of the motor 92 so thatthe sleeve will tend to wind the tie rod 104 thereon. The tie rod 104being anchored to the housing 32 thus serves the purpose of pivotallymoving the motor 88 towards the friction wheel 84 to thus bring thefriction sleeve 86 into frictional engagement with the peripheralsurface of the friction wheel 84' so that motion is imparted to thefriction wheel 84 from the motor 88. Due to possible binding between thesleeve 86 and the friction wheel 84, the motor 88 may upon occasion beunable to disengage the friction Wheel and sleeve as a result of itsweight alone. To assist in moving the friction sleeve 86 away from thewheel 84, the tie rod 104 is preferably formed of springy metallic stockso as to resiliently urge the sleeves 98 and 86 away from the Wheel 84when the motor is not energized. Suitable ma-' terial for the tie rod104, which I have found to be highly practical in use, is a conventionalbicycle wheel spoke.

As motion is imparted to the friction Wheel 84 from the motor 88,substantial tangential forces are encountered and while the pivotalmounting 90 of the motor 88 may, in most cases, be sufiicient tocounteract the tangential force, I prefer to provide means forpositively holding the free end of the motor drive shaft againstdisplacement tangentially of the friction wheel 84. As shown in Figure5, a collar 108 is rotatably mounted on the sleeve 98 and is provided atthe opposite sides thereof, in a plane transverse to the plane of thetie rod 104, with a pair of ties 110 extending radially of the shaft 92and suitably anchored at spaced points to the housing 32 to preventmovement of the shaft 92 tangentially with respect to the friction wheel84. To retain the clutch and driving means on the shaft of the motor, anend plate 109 is secured in abutting relation to the sleeves 94 and 98by means of nuts 111 threaded on the shaft 92.

As briefly pointed out hereinbefore, considerable difficulty has beenencountered in the past with respect to door operating devices becauseof the problem of establishing positive driving connection between themotor and the door actuating transmission means. In particular,practical devices heretofore have refrained from the use of an ordinarycable for the reason that driving connection could not be made thereto.According to the present invention, I provide an improved pulley meansat the drive end of the cable for imparting positive movement thereto toeffect operation and movement of the door. As shown in Figure 5, theimproved pulley means of the present invention, the pulley beingindicated generally at 80, comprises a pair of pulley sections 112 whichare outwardly and oppositely flared at the peripheral portions thereofto provide a generally V-shaped groove adapted for the reception of thecable 44. The plate sections 112 are preferably formed of sheet metaland have a certain degree of resiliency with respect to one another soas to be able to flex apart slightly. The angle defined by the flaredportion of the two plates is preferably approximately 30. Between thetwo plate sections 112, the pulley 80 may include a center plate 114 towhich the sections 112 are secured. As shown, the marginal or peripheraledge of the center plate 114 is preferably disposed slightly inward ofthe bottom of the V-shaped groove defined by the plate sections 112 sothat the portions of the plate sections extending radially outward ofthe plate 114 are adapted to flex with respect to one another. However,the sections 112 may be suitably secured together in abutting relation,preferably at points spaced inwardly of the apex of the V. Due to theresiliency or capability of flexation of the plate sections 112, thepulley 80, when actuated, positively grasps the cable 44 by wedging thesame between the pulley sections to impart positive driving movementthereto. I have found that the cable may have a substantial amount ofslack therein and yet the pulley 80- will so grasp the cable 44. as toimpart movement thereto unless the door is blocked bysome. obstacle thatwill present considerably more resistance to movement than would be metwith in normal opera-tion of the door. When such an obstacle is engagedby the door, the pulley 80 does not merely slip freely with respect tothe cable 44, but alternately grasps and releases the cable so thatpositive driving connection will be immediately reestablished uponremoval of the obstacle.

Due to the provision of a relatively large friction wheel 84, to theprovision of a relatively small friction sleeve on the motor sh aft anddue to the high degree of frictional engagement between the sleeve 86and the wheel 84, as is provided by forming both. members of rubber, themotor 88 may be of extremely small size. I have found, for example, thata motor having a rating of ,5 H. P. is en.- tirely adequate foroperating the door of private garages.

With reference to the housing 32 for enclosing the major portion of theoperating means of the present in.- vention, I have shown in. Figures 1,4 and 5 portions of the operating mechanism extending exteriorly of thehousing. If the motor is provided with a fuse it is desirable to havethe portion of the motor containing the fuse extending exteriorly of thehousing. However, withv respect to the other portions of the operatingmeans that I have shown extending exteriorly of the case, it will beappreciated that the case can be enlarged to fully encompass thoseportions. The housing 32 may be formed of any suitable material, suchas, wood, various types of plastics, or the like. However, it ispreferred. that the casing. 34 for the electrical apparatus of thepresent invention be of fireproof construction, such as being formed ofmetal.

The circuit means of the present invention will be described in detailhereinafter, but as shown in Figure 4, the casing 34 for the circuitmeans is provided in the wall thereof adjacent the motor 88 with a fourpole female power socket 116 adapted for the reception of a mating malesocket 118 constituting the power leads to the motor 88. Preferably inthe top wall thereof, the casing 34 is provided with a three pole malepower socket 129, which is preferably recessed with respect to the wallof the casing, adapted for the reception of a mating female plug from anelectrical supply source. Adjacent the socket 120, a four pole femalesocket 122 is provided. The socket 122 is adapted for the reception of amating power lead from the receiver of remote radio control apparatus orthe like for remotely energizing the operating means of the presentinvention, as will become more fully apparent hereinafter. The socket122 is provided principally as a convenience to adapt the device of thepresent invention for actuation by remote radio control apparatus, butis not required. Accordingly, to render the construction and theassembly of the device more economical, the socket 122 may be readilyomitted in instances wherein radio control is not to be provided. Aswill be apparent from the foregoing, all of the power sockets are soarranged and related to one another that any danger of exposure toenergized leads is eliminated. On one of the walls thereof disposed tothe exterior of the housing 32, the casing 34 is provided with aterminal plate or assembly 124 adapted to receive the leads fromsuitable actuating means for the device of the present invention. Aswill be pointed out hereinafter, the terminals 124 are subjected only toa very low voltage and accordingly the same may be exposed as shown inFigure 4. As shown in Figure 4, three terminals are provided at theplate 124, but as will become apparent in the following description ofthe circuit means of the present invention, the terminal plate 124 maycarry two, three, or more terminals, as required for particularinstallations.

The circuit means of the present invention includes a pair of switches126 and 128 mounted within the casing 34 and each having an actuator 130extending through v a wall of the casing. The switches 126 and 128 arepreferably each double pole double throw switches, one of which isadapted to serve as a limit switch, and the other of which is adapted toserve as a switch for conditioning the motor for operation in oppositedirections. For purposes of convenience, the switch 126 will be referredto as a limit switch for breaking the motor circuit at both limits ofdoor movement and the switch 128 will be referred to as a conditioningswitch.

At the portion thereof mounting the casing 34, the

housing 32 is provided with a pair of spaced parallel walls 132 and 134provided with aligned apertures adapted for the reception and guidanceof a reciprocal actuating rod 136. At the portion thereof disposedbetween the walls 132 and 134, the rod 136 carries a generally U-shapedbracket 138 provided with a pair of apertures or slots in the base wallthereof adapted for the reception of the actuators 130 of the switches126 and 128. As will be apparent, reciprocation of the rod 136 effectsactuation of the switches 126 and 128. The rod 136 includes a portionextending exteriorly of the housing 132 and adiacent the free endthereof is provided with a collar 140. A compression spring 142 isconfined between the wall 134 of the housing 32 and the collar 140 onthe rod 136 to normally bias the rod 136 outwardly with respect to thehousing to normally move the switches to one position of their movement.To retain the switches in their other position, after movement thereof,a latch 144 is pivotally mounted in the housing 32 between the walls 132and 134 and is normally urged by a relatively weak spring 146 towardlatching enga ement with the bracket 138 carried by the rod 136. Whenthe rod 136 is moved from the position shown in Fi ure 3 to the positionshown in Figure 4, the sprin 146 urges the latch 144 into engagementwith one leg of the U-sha ed bracket 138 to retain the bracket and rodin the position shown in Figure 4. At the end thereof op osite itslatching portion. the latch 144 is provided with a trio rod or lever 148which extends exteriorly of the housing 32 and terminates at its freeend in a loop 150 encircling one run of the cable 44. The run of thecable 44 encircled by the loop 150 is opposite the run of the cable onwhich the stops 56 and 58 are provided.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the frames 50 and 74 of the two embodimentsof the carriage described hereinhefore, are each provided with anabutment portion 152 adapted to engage the free end of the rod 136, inthe manner shown in Figure 3, when the door is moved to a positionadjacent its full open position. Accordingly, as the door is moved in anopening direction and rearwardlv along the ceiling of the garage, theabutment portion 152 of the movable carriage will engage the rod 136 tomove the rod 136 inwardly with res ect to the housing to effectactuation of the switches 126 and 128 to stop oper ation of the motorand to condition the motor for operation in the reverse direction uponthe next energization thereof. As pointed out hereinbefore. the latch144 retains the bracket 138 and the rod 136 in the position to whichmoved bv the abutment portion 152 of the movab e carriage. When themotor is again energized, the door will be operated in the reversedirection and as the same is lowered and approaches its closed position.the latch 144 is tripped to release the carria e 138 and rod 136 toactuate the switches 126 and 128 to stop operation of the motor and tocondition the motor for operation of the device in door openingdirection. To trip the latch 144 as the door approaches its closedposition, a cam, trigger, or the like 154 is provided on the run of thecable 44 which extends through the loop portion 150 of the trip rod 148.The cam 154 preferably comprises a sleeve encircling and adjustablysecured to the cable 44 and provided on its outer surface with suitablernaterial for frictionally engaging the loop 150 of the trip rod 148.The size of the cam 154, however, is such as to pass through the loop150 after the trip rod has been actuated so that coasting of the doormay occur, if desired, without danger of damage to the operatingmechanism of the present invention. As will be apparent, actuation ofthe rod 148 will trip the latch 144 to release the bracket 138 and rod136 for movement under the urge of the spring 142.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the present invention byproviding a single limit switch disposed remotely of the door, or atleast remotely of the door when the door is closed, for controlling thelimits of movement of the door in both directions provides substantialadvantages and economies in. devices of the general character. In itspreferred embodiment, the present invention provides means for varyingthe effective length of the rod 136 so as to control the point at whichthe switches are actuated. For example, the rod 136 could be providedwith a stud threaded to the rod for adjustment, or the abutment 152 ofthe carriage 40 could carry an adjustable stud. By providing means foradjusting the length of the rod 136 and for adjusting the cam 154 on thecable 44, the present invention accommodates ready adjustment andsetting of the limits at which the switches 126 and 128 will beactuated. By providing a normally disengaged driving connection betweenthe motor 88 and the cable 44, the present invention further providesfor slight coasting movement of the door after the motor has beenstopped so that the door may be moved with little force against theabutment means defining the absolute limits of movement thereof. Uponopening movement of the door, the spring 142 provides a cushioningaction for bufiing the movement of the door to its full open position.Furthermore, by providing the casing 34 for the circuit means of thepresent invention with readily detachable plug connectors, the casing 34may be readily removed from the housing 34 and the remainder of theapparatus for inspection and testing of the various electrical circuitcomponents therein. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the presentinvention provides substantial advantages in devices of the generalcharacter referred to.

Referring now to Figure 6, I have shown one embodiment of the circuitmeans of the present invention wherein the switches 126 and 128 areshown as double throw double pole switches with the two blades of eachswitch being disposed at the No. 2 terminal of each contact and bladeset or unit and adapted to be moved into engagement with either pole ofthe respective units. As shown in Figure 6, the socket is adapted forthe reception of a three wire, 110 volt power supply lead. As shown thethree power leads 156, 158 and 160 may be suitably taken from the lightbulb receptacle provided in the garage. The lines leading to the lightreceptacle may comprise merely the conventional two line, 110 volt powersupply, with line 160 being the hot line. The line 160 is preferablycontinued through the receptacle without connection and the ground line158 is continued through the receptacle to the socket 120. The line 156is tapped off the ground line 158 and the light 162 is connected inseries in the line 156. While the arrangement as shown accommodates useof the light receptacle in the garage in the circuit means of thepresent invention, it will be apparent that the light socket 162 may beincluded directly in the circuit means of the present invention andprotrude from the casing 34 in a suitable manner for illuminating theinterior of the garage with which the operating device of the presentinvention is associated. In this latter case, the 110 volt supply is ledto the circuit means of the present invention as a two line source andthe lead 156 may be tapped off the ground wire 158 within the interiorof the casing 34, tlhe5 light bulb 162 being connected in series in theline The leads 158 and 160 are connected to opposite sides of theprimary of a transformer 164. The transformer has the leads 158 and 160connected to the high voltage winding thereof. It is preferred that thetransformer 164 be such as to step down the voltage of the supply toapproximately 10 volts. The low voltage secondary of the transformer 164is connected at one side to the second terminal or blade of the righthand unit of the limit switch 126 and to one terminal of the terminalbar 124 and at its other side is connected to the coil of a relay 166having three movable switch arms. The other side of the coil of therelay 166 is connected to a second terminal of the terminal bar 124.Exteriorly of the casing 34. a pair of switches 168 and 170 areconnected in parallel, with the two lines of the switch circuit beingconnected to the two terminals of the terminal bar 124. As will beapparent, either of the switches 168 and 170 is adapted to close thecircuit of the transformer secondary and the coil of the relay 166 toeifect energization of the relay 166. The switches 168 and 170 maycomprise manually operable switches and one of the switches may suitablycomprise a push button switch located inside the garage, or the housewith which the garage is associated, and the other switch may suitablycomprise a lock switch or the like disposed outside of the garage at asuitable or desired distance therefrom. Since the terminal bar 124 isassociated only with the secondary of the primary, the same is exposedto a maximum of 10 volts so that same may be exposed exteriorly toprovide advantages as will become apparent hereinafter.

When

either of the switches 168 or 170 is closed, the coil of the relay 166is energized to move the three switch blades to closed position. Theblade of the switch 166-1 is connected to the left hand blade terminal 2of the switch 126. The line connecting the blade of the switch 166-1 andthe left hand terminal 126-2 is tapped to the power lead 160. The bladeof the switch 166-2 is connected to the left hand pole 3 of the switch126. The blade of the switch 166-3 is connected to the right hand poles1 and 3 of the limit switch 126. The left hand pole 1 of the limitswitch 126 is connected to the contact of the switch 166-2 and to thelead 156. The contact of the switch 166-3 is connected by means of aresistor 172 to one side of the relay coil. The resistor 172 pro vides adelaying action for energization of the coil of the relay 166 throughthe switch unit 3 of the relay, for a purpose to be pointed outhereinafter.

The contact of the switch 166-1 is connected to the blade and resistorof a normally closed, time relay, circuit breaker means 174. The contactof the means 174 is connected to one side of the field of the motor 88.The resistor of the unit 174 is connected to the right hand pole 1 ofthe conditioning switch 128 in series with the said pole and the contactof the switch 166-1. The time delaying circuit breaker means 174 maycomprise a normally closed relay, a normally closed bimetallic switch,or similar circuit breaking means adapted tobreak the circuit to thefield of the motor 88 after a predetermined time of energization of themotor. The right hand pole 1 of the conditioning switch 128 is crossconnected to the left hand pole 3 of the conditioning switch. The lefthand pole 1 is similarly cross connected to the right hand pole 3 and isconnected to the other end of the field winding of the motor. The bladeterminals 2 of the conditioning switch 128 are connected to the oppositesides of the armature of the motor 88. When the relay 166 is closed, andthe blades of the conditioning switch 128 are in contact with the poles1 thereof, the motor 88 is energized from the power lead 160 through theswitch 166-1, the means 174, the field of the motor, the left hand pole1 of the conditioning switch 128, the armature of the motor, the righthand pole 1 and from thence to the ground conductor 158. When thecontact blades of the conditioning switch 128 are moved into contactwith the poles 3, the motor 88 is energized in a similar manner with theexception that current flow through the armature is in the oppositedirection due to the cross connections between the poles 1 and the poles3 of the conditioning switch 128. Accordingly, the switch 128, upon eachactuation thereof, conditions the motor 88 for operation in the reversedirection.

When either of the switches 168 or 170 is closed, the coil of the relay166 is energized from the secondary of the transformer 164. The switches168 and 170 are preferably of the type that immediately return to openposition upon release thereof. To keep the coil of the relay 166energized and to maintain the relay switches in closed position, thecontact of the relay 166-3 is connected to one side of the relay coiland the blade of the switch 166-3 is connected to the poles 1 and 3 ofthe mosses right hand unit of the limit switch 126. The right handcontact blade of the limit switch 126 is connected to one side of thetransformer secondary and, accordingly, the coil of the relay 166 willcontinue to be energized through the switch 166-3 and from the secondaryof the transformer 164 once the coil is energized by closing either ofthe switches 168 and 170. Due to this arrangement, the switches 168 and170 need be closedonly momentarily to set the device of the presentinvention in operation, which feature provides great convenience inoperating the device of the invention.

When the coil of the relay 166 is energized through the relay switch166-3 and the limit switch 126 is actuated as a result of the doorreaching either of the limits of movement thereof, the coil of the relay166 is deenergized to release the relay switches. Upon release of therelay switch 166-1, the circuit to the motor 88 is broken to stopoperation of the motor. Since the limit switch 126 breaks the motorcircuit or the circuit of the relay 166 only during actuation of theswitch, the relay 166 includes the resistor 172 to prevent immediatereenergization, or continued energization, of the coil of the relay 166,such as would possibly occur if the limit switch 126 were rapidlythrown. Accordingly, the re- 10 sistor 172 insures cessation of motoroperation at each limit of movement of the door.

As will be apparent from the foregoing, the switching unit of the limitswitch 126 shown at the right in Figure 6, controls energization anddeenergization of the motor 88. The other switch unit, namely, the unitshown at the left in Figure 6, controls energization and deenergizationof the garage light 162. As pointed out hereinbefore, the line 156 isconnected to the left hand pole 1 of the limit switch 126, which in turnis connected to the contact of the relay switch 166-2. The secondterminal or blade of the switch unit is connected to the power lead 160and the pole 126-3 is connected to the blade of the relay switch 166-2.When the switch blade engages the pole 1, the light 162 is energizedfrom the power lead 160 through the terminal or blade 126-2, theterminal 126-1, the lead 156, through the bulb 162 and to the groundedconductor 158. In the position wherein the switch blade engages pole 3of the limit switch, the bulb 162 is energized from the power lead 160by connection to the blade 126-2, the pole 126-3, the relay switch166-2, the switch pole 126-1 and the lead 156. From the foregoing, itwill be appreciated that when the switch blade engages the pole 126-1,the light bulb 162 is energized whether the relay 166 is energized ornot. However, when the switch blade engages the pole 126-3, the lightbulb 162 will be energized only if the relay 166 is energized.Accordingly, the limit switch 126 is so disposed in the mechanicalarrangement of the present invention that the switch blade will bethrown into engagement with the pole 126-3 when the door is closed. Uponenergization of the relay 166, to move the door in the openingdirection, the light 162 will be energized through the relay. When thedoor reaches its open position and engages the switch actuator rod 136,the limit switch 126 is thrown to bring the switch blades thereof intoengagement with the pole 126-1. In this position, the light bulb 162will be continuously energized directly from the power leads 160 and158. Therefore, during the entire time that the door is being opened, ismaintained opened and is being closed, the light bulb 162 will beenergized. However, immediately upon the door again reaching its closedposition, at which time the limit switch 126 is again actuated and thecircuit to the relay 166 is broken, the light will be shut off.Accordingly, the light bulb 162 will always provide an indication of theposition of the door, which is highly desirable when the garage islocated remotely of the owners residence and either of the switches 168or 170 is disposed within the owners residence. In the particulararrangement stated, the owner may leave the garage door open with thelight bulb energized while he travels to his residence. Upon reachinghis residence, either of the switches 168 or 170, depending upon whichof the two is disposed within the residence, may be actuated to move thedoor to closed position. However, if any obstacle is presented toprevent the door from reaching its fully closed position, or if theoperating device should fail for any reason, the light 162 will bemaintained energized to warn the owner that the garage door has notclosed.

After the operating. device of the present invention has been installedin a garage, the length of time required for door operation is timed andthereafter the circuit breaker means 174 is calibrated to deenergize themotor after a certain time interval of motor operation in excess of thatrequired to normally open or close the door. For example, I have foundthat a conventional private garage door may be opened or closed uponenergization of the motor for approximately eight seconds. In such aninstance, the circuit breaker means 1'74 may be set to open after aninterval of motor operation of approximately twelve seconds.Accordingly, if some obstacle should be presented to door move- ;ment orany mechanical failure should occur in the operating device of thepresent invention, the circuit breaker means 174 will automatically openafter approximately twelve seconds of motor energization to prevent themotor running for needless lengths of time. This 6 is a substantialadvantage over prior devices wherein the motor was merely provided witha thermal relay adapted to break the motor circuit when the motor becameheated to a certain extent. In prior devices, the

motor wouldnormally run for an extremely long period of time before thethermal relay would break the circuit thereto.

As shown in Figure 6, the socket 122 includes four terminals, two ofwhich are connected to the power lines 160 and 158 and two of which areconnected to the leads of the switching circuit including the switches168 and 170. Accordingly, the socket 122 is adapted for energizing thereceiver of a remote radio control apparatus which is adapted to shortcircuit or close the circuit to the coil of the relay 166 to effectoperation of the device of the present invention from a remote location.The sending device of the radio control apparatus would normally bemounted in the vehicle to be garaged.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the circuit means shownin Figure 6 is adapted for accurate and effective control of the motor88 to move the door to predetermined limits of movement as defined byadjustment of the rod 136 and adjustment of the cam 154 on the cable 44.Operation of the device is entirely automatic except for originallyclosing the circuit by means of either of the switches 168 or 170 or bymeans of a remote radio control apparatus connected to the circuit meansat the socket 122.

While the circuit means shown in Figure 6 is entirely adequate for mostinstallations, it is frequently desired to provide means forautomatically stopping closing movement of the door if an obstacle ispresented to the door or if anything should stand in the way of closingmovement of the door. For example, if the door were opened and a vehiclewere pulled only partially into the garage and one of the switches 168or 170 was inadvertently operated, the garage door would commencemovement toward its closed position which would result in damage both tothe vehicle and to the garage door. To prevent the possibility of anysuch damage occurring, the present invention provides means forautomatically stopping closing movement of the door and automaticallyreversing operation of the door should an obstacle be encountered by thedoor so as to move the door to its full open position. According to thepresent invention, the means for automatically reversing operation ofthe door should an obstacle be encountered comprises a switch meansextending across substantially the entire width of the door at thebottom edge thereof and suitable means included within the motor circuitenergized upon operation of the switch to effect reversal of motoroperation. The physical structure of the switch means mounted at thelower edge of the vehicle door may be varied as desired and in Figures 7and 8 I have shown two preferred forms of suitable switch means. Themounting of such switch means on the garage door is shown in Figure 1.

Referring now to Figure 7, which embodiment of the invention is shown asmounted on the door in Figure 1, the switch means may suitably comprisea pressure tube 176 extending across the entire width of the door at thelower edge thereof. The pressure tube is preferably formed of rubber soas to be resiliently flexible and so as to present a bumper edge forpreventing damage or marring of an obstacle, a vehicle, or any otherarticle. The pressure tube 176 preferably includes a mounting plate orportion by means of which the same may be suitably secured to the lowersurface of the door. At one end thereof, the pressure tube 176 issuitably connected to a pressure actuated switch 178 which is carried bythe door at the side thereof. The pressure tube 176 and the switch 178comprise a closed fluid system which under normal conditions is notunder sufficient pressure to effect actuation of the switch 178, butwhich, upon engagement of the tube 176 with an obstacle, will effectactuation of the switch 178. As shown in Figure 1, the switchingapparatus may take the form of two pressure tubes, each extendingthroughout one-half of the width of the door, and a switch 178associated with each of the tubes. The switch or switches 178 aremounted adjacent the sides of the garage door and are each provided witha contact leaf or blade 180 engaging the door guiding tracks 26. Uponactuation of the switch 178, as by the tube 176 engaging an obstacle,the switch 178 is closed to close the circuit to suitable means mountedwithin the casing 34 by utilizing the track or tracks 26 for the garagedoor as a conductor.

As will be appreciated, the pressure tube 176 will be normallycompressed upon engagement thereof with the fioor of the garage when thedoor is moved to closed position. To prevent actuation of the circuitmeans to effect reversible motor operation when the door engages thefioor surface of the garage, a suitable insulator 182 is mounted on thetrack 26 to insulate the switch blade from the track when the doorapproaches and is in its closed position. Accordingly, the strip ofinsulating material 182 will prevent reversal of motor operation whenthe door is moved to its closed position so that the circuit means andoperating device of the present invention will have the motor circuitbreaking operation described hereinbefore.

In Figure 8, a second embodiment of the switching apparatus is shownwherein the lower edge of the garage door 20 carries a fixed contactstrip 184 and a movable contact leaf or strip 186. The contact strip 184may be either continuous or may be provided at spaced points along thebottom edge of the door. Likewise, the contact leaf 186 may becontinuous or may be provided in a plurality of short sections or in asingle short section, disposed at a strategic point along the width ofthe door. While particular fixed contact strip and movable leaf meanshave been shown in Figure 8, it will be appreciated that the actualstructure thereof may be varied within wide limits without departingfrom the scope of the present invention. At the free outer end thereof,the contact leaf 186 is provided with a downwardly turned end portionupon which is mounted a rubber bumper 188 to prevent damage to theobstacle encountered by the garage door. In the apparatus shown inFigure 8, the contact strip 184 may be suitably connected to one of thegarage door tracks 26 and the movable contact leaf 186 may be suitablyconnected to the other track 26. The switch means shown in Figure 7 maybe similarly connected.

Referring now to Figure 9, I have shown suitable circuit means foreffecting reversal of the motor, in response to energization by switchmeans such as that shown in Figures 7 and 8, incorporated in the circuitmeans shown in Figure 6 and described hereinbefore. The description ofthe circuit means of Figure 6 being clear, the following description ofFigure 9 will be limited solely to the inclusion of the motor reversing.means in the circuit. As shown in Figure 9, the terminal plate 124 isprovided with three terminals, two of which establish connection to theswitching means 168 and 170. A pair of leads 190 and 192 are provided,each leading from one of the tracks 26. The lead 190 is suitably led tothe free terminal of the terminal bar 124, and the lead 192 is connectedto one of the leads of the switching circuit. The lead 192 is preferablyso connected as to be electrically connected to one terminal of thesecondary of the transformer 164. The lead 190 is connected through theterminal bar 124 to the coil of a relay 194 and from thence to the otherside of the secondary of the transformer 164 and to the coil of anelectromagnet 196. The relay 194 includes two switch units, wherein thefirst switch unit is connected electrically to the opposite sides of thecoil of the relay 166 so as to effect energization of the relay 166 whenthe relay 194 is energized. The contact of the second switch of therelay 194 is connected to the side of the secondary of the transformer164 opposite that to which the coil 194 is directly connected and theblade of the switch is connected to the coil of the electromagnet 196.Accordingly, when the switch carried by the door, as shown in eitherFigure 7 or 8, is closed, the coil of the relay 194 is energized toclose the switches of the relay. With the switch 194-2 energized, thecoil of the electromagnet 196 is energized. The electromagnet 196 in thephysical apparatus of the present invention may be disposed immediatelyadjacent the latch 144, as is shown in dotted lines in Figure 4, or maybe operatively associated with the latch 144 in a conventional manner,so as to magnetically retract the latch 144 from its locking position torelease the bracket 138 and rod 136 for movement under the urge of thespring 142. Accordingly, upon energization of the relay 194, andconsequently of the electromagnet 196, the latch 144 is tripped toeffect actuation of the switches 126 and 128 and reversal of motoroperation. However, as was pointed out hereinbefore, upon actuation ofthe limit switch 126, the circuit to the motor 88 is normally broken bybreaking .the circuit to the coil of the relay 166. If it is desiredmerely to stop operation of the door upon engagement of the door with anobstacle, the relay 194 may be omitted and the coil of theelectromagnetmay be directly connected to the opposite sides of the secondary of thetransformer 164 so that upon closing of the switch carried by the door,the latch 144 will be tripped to stop operation of the motor. However,in accordance with the present invention, it is preferred that the doorbe reversed so as to be moved to its fully opened position so as toprovide for the ready removal of the obstacle that is disposed in theway of the vehicle door. In this latter case, the relay 194 is providedand includes the switch 194-1 which will maintain the coil of the relay166 energized during actuation of the switches 126 and 128 so that themotor will be immediately energized in the reverse direction. After thedoor has been moved in the reverse direction suificiently to accommodatereturn of the switch means carried by the door to its normally openposition, the relay 194 will be deenergized, but by this time, the coilof the relay 166 will be energized through the limit switch 126 tomaintain the motor in operation until the door is returned to its fullyopen position. Thereafter, the obstacle may be removed from the path ofthe door to accommodate normal operation of the door.

In most instances it is very desirable to provide means locatedexternally of the garage, and preferably at some distance therefrom, toprovide means for'automatically energizing the operating device of thepresent invention without requiring the vehicle operator to get out ofthe vehicle to close some suitable switch. To this end, a lock switch,either of the switches 168 or 170, may be mounted on a post adjacent thevehicle driveway so that the same can be reached from the interior ofthe vehicle. However, this presents some disadvantages in that it isdifficult in many cases to bring the car alongside the post closelyenough to accommodate actuation of the switch merely by the vehicleoperator reaching through the window of the vehicle. Remote radio control apparatus, of course, presents substantial advantages in thisregard, but the same is relatively expensive and accordingly may notmeet with universal approval. To provide means of an extremelyeconomical nature for effecting automatic operation of the operatingdevice, the present invention provides means in the form of switchingmeans or the like adapted to be contacted by the vehicle. While themeans may suitably comprise pressure plates or pressure actuatedswitches disposed in the surface of the driveway to the garage, suchtypes of switches suffer the disadvantage that in northern climates thesame become covered with ice and snow and are therefore not exposed tocontact by the vehicle. According to the present invention, I prefer toemploy the conventional curb feelers employed on most vehicles forclosing the circuit to the relay of the coil 166 by disposing contactplates at the sides of the driveway to the garage adapted for contact bycurb feelers mounted on the vehicle.

Referring now to Figure 9, I have shown a pair of contactor plates 198disposed exteriorly of the garage and connected to opposite sides of theleads of the switching circuit 168-170. The plates 198 preferablycomprise metallic plates, of a resilient nature or having a resilientmounting, disposed vertically along the side of the driveway andconnected by a suitable underground lead to the switching circuit of theswitches 168-170. For narrow driveways, as is shown in Figure 9, thecontactor plates 198 may be disposed on opposite sides of the drivewayfor contact by means of a pair of curb feelers 200 carried at oppositesides of the vehicle. In the case of wider driveways, it will beappreciated that both plates can be conveniently mounted on one side ofthe driveway and adapted for contact by curb feelers 200 provided atspaced points along one side of the vehicle. From the disclosure ofFigure 9,it will be appreciated that as the curb feelers 200 contact theplates 198, the switching circuit is closed through the vehicle toeffect energization of the coil of the relay 166 and operation of thedoor operating device of the present invention. In actual construction,and as is shown somewhat diagrammatically in Figure 9, each contactorplate 198 may suitably comprise a pair of posts driven into the ground,the posts being preferably of wood or the like so as to provide aninsulation from ground, and a metal plate strung between the postsslightly above the ground, at

14 what would normally be approximately curb level, for engagement bythe feelers 200. The contactor plates 198 can be disposed remotely ofthe garage so that as the vehicle slowly approaches the garage, thegarage door VtiOllld be opened without necessity for stopping the vehice.

In many instances, garages comprise multiple units with each space orstall therein provided with a separate door, but with a single drivewayleading to all of the doors of the garage unit. The apparatus shown inFigure 9 and described hereinbefore readily lends itself to theprovision of means for selectively actuating any one of the garage doorsupon passage of the particular vehicle over the driveway. For example,if the garage were provided with three doors and each door were providedwith a separate operator, a pair of contactor plates could be disposedas shown in Figure 9, and another contactor plate could be disposedalong one of the sides of the driveway. The two contactor platesdisposed on one side of the drive could be suitably connected toopposite sides of the switching circuit of one of the door operators,and then each of the two contactor plates could alternately beassociated with the contactor plate on the opposite side of thedriveway. The first car would be provided with two feelers on one sideof the vehicle adapted to engage the two contactor plates provided onthe one side of the driveway for automatically effecting actuation ofthe first door operator. The second car would be provided with feelerssuch as shown in Figure 9 to effect actuation of the second dooroperator and the third car would be provided with feelers adapted toengage the contactor plate disposed on the one side of the driveway andthe other of the two contactor plates provided on the opposite side ofthe driveway to effect actuation of the third operator. As will beappreciated, such means provides for a convenient remote actuation ofthe door operator device of the present invention when the same isutilized in multiple installations.

In many instances however, it is desirable to provide only a single setor pair of contactors 198, in which case other means may be utilized toeffect selective operations of several door operators in a multipleoperator installation. In Figure 10, I have shown one such means whichcomprises the inclusion of additional circuit means associated with theterminal post 124 and connected to the single pair of contactors 198. Asshown in Figure 10, the terminals 1 and 2 of the terminal bar 124 areadapted for the reception of the conventional switching apparatus asindicated at 168 and 170. The third terminal, however, is connected toone side of suitable means, such as a germanium diode 202, for passingcurrent in one direction only. The other side of the means 202 isconnected to the coil of a relay 204, and the other side of the relaycoil is connected to the terminal 2 of the bar 124. The relay 204includes a switch connected to the terminals 1 and 2 of the terminal bar124 so as to effect energization of the relay 166 and operation of thegarage door. In use, the relay 204 is adapted for energization from thebattery of the vehicle adapted to engage the contactor plates 198. In,for example, a three car and three garage door arrangement, the firstcar would be adapted to short circuit the terminals 1 and 2 of the bar124 in a manner somewhat similar to that shown in Figure 9. The secondcar, however, would have one of the feelers 200 connected to the vehiclebattery and the other feeler connected to the ground. The contactorplate 198 adapted to be engaged by the battery connected feeler would beconnected to the terminal 2 of the bar 124 and the other contactor platewould be connected to the terminal 3 of the bar 124. Accordingly, as thevehicle passed through and engaged the contactor plates, the vehiclebattery would energize the relay 204 to close the circuit of the relay166. In the third car, the connection of the feelers 200 would bereversed and the direction of current passage of the germanium diode 202would be reversed to provide for actuation of the third door operator.Accordingly, accurate operation of a plurality of door operating devicesis insured.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the present inventionprovides an extremely economical and practical door operating devicewherein novel circuit means are provided for insuring proper actuationof the garage door.

While I have described what I regard to be preferred 15 embodiments ofmy invention, it will be appreciated that various changes,rearrangements and modifications may be made therein Without departingfrom the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device for operating overhead doors and the like having latchingmeans for retaining the same in closed position, comprising a trackadapted to be mounted above the door and generally parallel to the doorwhen the door is in its open position, a movable carriage carried andguided by said track and adapted for connection to the door, acontinuous cable having one run disposed adjacent and substantiallyparallel to said track, said one run of said cable passing freelythrough said carriage and having a pair of spaced stops thereon disposedto either side of said carriage, said stops having lost motion withrespect to said carriage and being adapted to engage the same, a pulleysupporting and guiding said cable at each end thereof, and means forrotating one of said pulleys in opposite directions to drive said cableand bring said stops selectively into engagement with said carriage tomove the door in opening and closing directions, the stop adapted toengage said carriage when the door is being opened having operativeconnection to the door latching means to unlatch the door beforeengaging said carriage to open the door.

2. A device for operating overhead doors and the like comprising a trackadapted to be mounted above the door and generally parallel to the doorwhen the door is in its up position, a movable carriage carried andguide by said track and adapted for connection to the door, means formoving said carriage including a reversible electric motor and a wheeldriven thereby, the drive shaft of said motor being adapted to bebrought into engagement with said wheel to drive said wheel, a sleeverotatably mounted on the motor drive shaft, clutch means between saidshaft and said sleeve and a tie rod connected to said sleeve andanchored radially outward of said sleeve in the direction of said wheel,whereby upon energization of said motor said sleeve, said clutch meansand said tie rod urge said motor drive shaft into engagement with saidwheel.

3. A device for operating overhead doors and the like comprising a trackadapted to be mounted above the door and generally parallel to the doorwhen the door is in its up position, a movable carriage carried andguided by said track and adapted for connection to the door, means formoving said carriage including a reversible motor and a wheel driventhereby, said motor being mounted for movement with respect to saidwheel and the drive shaft of said motor being adapted to be brought intoengagement with said wheel to drive said wheel, a sleeve rotatablymounted on the motor drive shaft, clutch means between said shaft andsaid sleeve. a tie rod connected to said sleeve and anchored radiallyoutward of said sleeve in the direction of said wheel, whereby uponenergization of said motor said sleeve, said clutch means and said tierod urge said motor drive shaft into engagement with said wheel, acollar rotatably mounted on said sleeve, and a plurality of tie rodsconnected to said collar to hold said motor against movement in a planetransversely of the first named tie rod.

4. A device for operating overhead doors and the like comprising acontinuous cable adapted to be operatively associated with the door, apulley over which said cable is reevcd, a friction wheel connected tosaid pulley, a reversible electric motor having its axis disposed ingenerally spaced parallel relation to the axis of said wheel, a.friction member carried by the motor shaft and adapted to engage theperiphery of said wheel to drive said wheel, said motor being pivotallymounted intermediate its ends to accommodate movement of said frictionmember toward and away from said wheel, the weight of said motornormally biasing said motor and said friction member away from saidWheel, a sleeve rotatably mounted on the motor drive shaft, frictionclutch means between said shaft and said sleeve normally coupling saidshaft and said sleeve but accommodating relative rotational movementtherebetween, and a tie rod connected to said sleeve and anchoredradially outward of said sleeve in the direction of said wheel, saidsleeve upon energization of said motor tending to wind said tie rodthereon, whereby said motor is moved toward said wheel to bring saidfriction member into driving engagement with the periphery of said wheelto drive said wheel, said pulley and said cable to operate the door.

5. A device for operating overhead doors and the like comprising acontinuous cable adapted to be operatively associated with the door, apulley over which said cable is reeved, a friction wheel connected tosaid pulley, a reversible electric motor having its axis disposed ingenerally spaced parallel relation to the axis of said wheel, a frictionmember carried by the motor shaft and adapted to engage the periphery ofsaid wheel to drive said wheel, said motor being pivotally mountedintermediate its ends to accommodate movement of said friction membertoward and away from said wheel, the weight of said motor normallybiasing said motor and said friction member away from said wheel, asleeve rotatably mounted on the motor drive shaft, friction clutch meansbetween said shaft and said sleeve normally coupling said shaft andsleeve but accommodating relative rotational movement therebetween, atie rod connected to said sleeve and extending radially of said sleeveand said wheel, said tie rod being anchored at the free end thereof inthe area of said wheel, said sleeve upon energization of said motortending to wind said tie rod thereon, whereby said motor is moved towardsaid wheel to bring said friction member into driving engagement withthe periphery of said wheel to drive said wheel, said pulley and saidcable to operate the door, and means anchoring said motor againsttangential movement with respect to said wheel, said tie rod beingformed of springy material to normally bias said sleeve and said motoraway from said wheel.

6. A device for operating overhead doors and the like having latchingmeans for retaining the same in closed position, comprising a trackadapted to be mounted in a position substantially parallel to the doorwhen the door is in its open position, a movable carriage carried andguided by said track and adapted for connection to the door, continuousconveyor means having one run disposed adjacent and substantiallyparallel to said track, said one run of said conveyor means passingfreely through said carriage and having a pair of spaced stops thereondisposed to either side of said carriage, said stops having lost motionwith respect to said carriage and being adapted to engage the same, andmeans for actuating said conveyor means to drive the same in oppositedirections to bring said stops selectively into engagement with saidcarriage to move the door in opening and closing directions, the stopadapted to engage said carriage when the door is being opened havingoperative connection to the door latching means to unlatch the doorbefore engaging said carriage to open the door.

7. A device for operating overhead door having latching means forretaining the same in closed position, comprising a track adapted to bemounted in a position substantially parallel to the door when the dooris in its open position, a movable carriage carried and guided by saidtrack and adapted for connection to the door, continuous cable meanshaving one run disposed adjacent and substantially parallel to saidtrack, said one run of said cable means passing freely through saidcarriage and having a pair of spaced stops thereon disposed to eitherside of said carriage, said stops having lost motion with respect tosaid carriage and being adapted to engage the same, means for actuatingsaid cable means to drive the same in opposite directions to bring saidstops selectively into engagement with said carriage to move the door inopening and closing directions, and second cable means connected to thestop adapted to engage said carriage when the door is being opened, saidsecond cable means being adapted to be operatively connected to the doorlatching means to unlatch the door before the said stop to which saidsecond cable means is connected engages said carriage to effect movementof the door in opening direction, said second cable means accommodatingnormal j manual actuation of the door latching means.

8. A device for operating overhead doors or the like, the door beingguided for movement between a substantially vertical closed position anda substantially horizontal open position and having latching means forlatching the same in closed position, comprising a track to be mountedabove the door and generally parallel to the door when the door is inits open position, a movable carriage carried and guided by said track,means flexibly connecting said carriage to the door, a continuous cablehav ing one run disposed adjacent and substantially parallel to saidtrack, said one run of said cable passing freely through said carriageand having a pair of spaced stops thereon disposed to either side ofsaid carriage, said stops having lost motion with respect to saidcarriage and being adapted to engage the same, a pulley supporting andguiding said cable at each end thereof, drive means for rotating one ofsaid pulleys in opposite directions to drive said cable, the stops onsaid cable being adapted selectively to engage said carriage uponactuation of said cable in opposite directions by means of said onepulley to move the door in opening and closing directions, the stopadapted to engage said carriage when the door is being opened havingoperative connection to the door latching means to unlatch the doorbefore engaging said carriage to open the door, control means forcontrolling said drive means, an actuator rod for said control means,said carriage including an abutment adapted to engage and move said rodin one direction adjacent one limit of movement of the door, springmeans normally biasing said actuator rod in the opposite direction, alatch adapted to lock said rod in the position to which the same ismoved by said abutment, a trip rod carried by said latch and extendingadjacent the other run of said cable, and a cam carried by said otherrun of said cable adapted to engaged said trip rod to trip said latchand release said rod adjacent the other limit of movement of the door,thus to condition said drive means to rotate said one pulley in oppositedirections.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSFindley Apr. 10, 1917 Edwards et al Mar. 6, 1928 Goldman Feb. 4, 1930Bancroft Oct. 3, 1933 Blodgett June 12, 1934 Gross May 7, 1935 McCloudFeb. 9, 1937 Foster Mar. 26, 1940 Greegor et a1. Nov. 12, 1940 CollinsNov. 11, 1941 Rogers Feb. 2, 1943 Blodgett Mar. 14, 1944 Vallen June 12,1945 Konter May 28, 1946 Cook July 22, 1947 Riverman Feb. 20, 1951Andrews June 26, 1951 Vaughn Oct. 23, 1951 McLaughlin Dec; 4, 1951 NobleJan. 29, 1952 Morris June 3, 1952 Schlytern Aug. 19, 1952

